eporv - In the past, I've subtly suggested that Ohio State isn't classy that way, but I don't even think you can get too upset about playing your guys with a 30-point lead, in the 3rd quarter.

First of all, having watched them come alive late against Michigan, I know Minnesota can score some if you let down your guard and/or switch to the "allow" defense. Errr, "prevent." Second of all, Michigan State (from both ends of the cock) has shown us that 30-point 3rd quarter leads just don't mean enough.

There are a couple things I just want everybody to know right now - first, as a preemptive strike - Michigan only beat Northwestern by 14, but that was the shittiest football weather I've ever experienced, as a lifelong Michigan resident. The win was still solid, it just wasn't a good day to try to score a lot.

Second - I am so, so happy that Big XII and Pac-10 teams are making up for the general shittiness of their conferences by coming out and playing against the [default conference champion] big boys today. Go Texas Tech!!!

As sweet as the comback vitory was last week, I think John L is gone. Especially after this week. 1 bowl game in 4 years doesn't cut it. If he stays, next year will be just like 04, 05, and 06. We need new blood. Or at least someone else to find creative ways to lose.

I think that John L is gone after the season. The comeback last week was great, but it sure would be nice to have a team that didn't dig themselves into huge deficit holes in the first half of every game. This week against Indiana sucked.

As right as you are, and as well-deserved as that might be, John L. is probably safe as long as your Spartans make it to a bowl game, which I would call likely, with Minnesota and Penn State remaining (although, MSU can lose to anybody, if they put their minds to it). Sorry.

Ummm, John (annarbor, mi), I realize the Nittany Lions have had their troubles with the Wolverines over the years (sigh), but even you have to admit that they held Henne & Co. fairly close a couple weeks ago, not to mention keeping the game within reach with a third string QB for the majority of the second half. I know y'all won, but a little proper respect, please.

Oh, same result in the L column, but the Lions have been the only team to keep Smith relatively in check this season. Good luck with him next month (as ol' Sammy D would say, and I mean that), but, again, proper props if you will, please.

Whoops, how did I forget Mr. Tiller's first shutout today for the "what have you done for me lately" category, the Boilermakers being a team that averaged 29 points per game so far this year?

As for the Buckeyes leaving their starters in for three quarters, seem to recall a certain team in '94 in a strong majority of their ganes just giving their starters one series of downs in the third quarter before unleashing the backups.

Sorry, you're right.First - about your defense, you're right about that OSU game. If it hadn't been for that squirrely QB in the last 10 minutes, people might have checked the CFB scoreboard that week and thought twice; OSU would have been sharing first-place votes with USC up till this week.

Also, I actually missed 3 quarters of the UM-PSU game, due to watching the Tigers sweep the A's, but I did notice our production was down (Manningham might have helped, but the offense had plenty going for it without him).

Second, I was working with an unmentioned recollection of MSU finishing a number of abysmal seasons with surprising, annoying victories over Penn State. That happened a couple times last decade, right? I think? (Honestly not sure about this, but it's an impression that I have.)

Are you saying Penn State only played their starters for 35 minutes in '94? I was 9, I don't remember, but maybe that's why I've always worried about them from '95 to present.

I was just thinking about running up the score as it relates to Michigan Football... I have a hard time thinking of occasions when the first string really comes out. I think we just start running out the clock with the same guys. Anyway, I do think OSU has shown some lack of restraint this year, definitely. But hey, they're uncontested #1 [I guess those two WVa voters contest it, but they're obviously fucking insane], so that seems to be working for them.

>>Are you saying Penn State only played their starters for 35 minutes in '94?>>

I'm sure I'm off by few minutes, but the only games I remember requiring the starters to play the entire game were against always pesky Michigan and a very persistent Illini squad.

Pardons to hyperbole, but I don't think it would have been inconceivable for Ki-Jana Carter to have gained 3000 yards that season if JoePa would have been about letting his players pad their stats (7.7 per carry that year). Not like he didn't inherit the Heisman jinx anyway (stupid old Bengals turf stadium).

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DanShanoff.com is a sports-blog spin-off of my long-time ESPN.com column, "The Daily Quickie." Anchored by an early-morning post of must-know topics, the blog is updated frequently throughout the day with new posts and user comments.